An arrangement of the national anthem of Guatamala for String Orchestra.

The national anthem of Guatemala (Spanish: Himno Nacional de Guatemala) was written by Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma and composed by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle [es] in 1897, on the occasion of the Exposición Centroamericana by the government of General José María Reina Barrios.

The lyrics and score were printed for the first time in La Ilustración Guatemalteca, a culture magazine, where the author of the lyrics appeared as "Anonymous". It was not until 1910, shortly before his death, that Cuban poet and diplomat José Joaquín Palma confessed that he was the author.

By order of President General Jorge Ubico, in 1934, some changes were made by pedagogue José María Bonilla Ruano to the lyrics of the anthem, since it was particularly warmongering and reflected more the Cuban War of Independence, in which Palma had actively participated, than the independence of Central America.

It is often erroneously titled "Guatemala Feliz!" from its opening lyrics, but it has no official name and is only referred to in the country as "Himno Nacional".

In 1879, the El Porvenir Literary Society unsuccessfully attempted to create a national anthem for Guatemala. In 1887, the president of Guatemala, General Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián, called for a competition to choose music that would complement the lyrics of the "National Anthem [es]" written by poet Ramón P. Molina. Distinguished composers took part in this competition, and the triumph was awarded to music presented by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle.

For more of my original music, great arrangements and all the national anthems of the world, check out my on-line stores: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/keithterrett1 http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=keith+terrett Need an anthem fast? They are ALL in my store! All my anthem arrangements are also available for Orchestra, Recorders, Saxophones, Wind, Brass and Flexible band. If you need an anthem urgently for an instrumentation not in my store, let me know via e-mail, and I will arrange it for you FOC if possible! keithterrett@gmail.com If you perform this arrangement in public, make a recording or broadcast it through any media, please notify the PRS (UK), or ASCAP (USA), or SOCAN (Canada), or APRA (Australia) or KODA (Denmark) or the equivalent organisation in your own country, giving the name of the arranger as Keith Terrett. YouTube Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rj_O7EQ9PY